March for Babies

Here are pictures of our adventure today. The first of course are the cutest. This is Emma in her sun hat.

Emma and I are currently accepting applications/nominations for next year's March of Babies Family Team, to be known a Emma's Entourage. I think we need a whole crew. We will have T-shirts and everything. Let us know if you are interested....

Growing with Grins and Giggles

Tomorrow (if the weather cooperates) Emma will visit the University of Houston for the first time. We are going to attempt to participate in the March for Babies walk. See link on the right...

However, today when Emma woke up, she was all grins and a giggle.

And just for comparison purposes... This was Miss Emma on March 3rd. Take a look on the tiger in the picture on the left to compare size.

Another illustration of Miss Emma's growth. Emma, yesterday, getting ready for Miss Kim's.

Emma coming home from the hospital on March 1st.

Okay...and Mommy's first attempt at a video. Sorry for the dark picture. But listen closely at about 8 seconds. Then the video stream broke. Let's just say I won't make any money making professional videos in the near or distant future.

Okay okay.... a lot has happened...

since I last posted. Let's see if I can condense.

I was given a lovely baby shower or rather Emma was given a lovely baby shower. This was the "makeup" baby shower for the shower scheduled in January when let's just say I was avoidably detained.

Here are a few pictures:

Ladybug in ladybugs!

Emma spent her first few days at the Miss Kim's house (day care). And yes, that means I went back to work. I started off slow only going in Tuesday and Thursday of last week. I think the hardest day was Wednesday. I am a deep end of the pool not one torturous toe at a time person. Wednesday was just a tease. Please don't get me wrong, Monday night was hard. Tuesday morning was harder. But Wednesday was the hardest because I knew what it was going to be like to be away from her yet I had another day to enjoy her and cry because I couldn't be there. However, Emma rewarded me on Tuesday night. She couldn't be consoled by Daddy or Aunt MiMi, only Mommy would do. :)

But it's official now, I am back to work full-time. And Darren takes Emma to the sitter's because I think if it were up to me, I would just turn around and go home with her.

In case you didn't notice, there is a link to the March for Babies walk on the right side of the blog. I have decided to become a volunteer with the March of Dimes organization. To quote the organization:

"The money we raise for March for Babies will support lifesaving research, services, education and advocacy that help babies get a healthy start.

Please help by donating today!

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality."

Belated Easter Pictures

How cute am I...

...in my Easter outfit?

Great Uncle Jimmy & Emma

Mommy, Daddy, & Ladybug

Three Generations (Hrcek, Antosh, Clark)

NaNa, PaPa, Mommy, and Emma

NaNa, PaPa, Daddy, Mommy, and Emma

No More Big Brother

Well...we have been sort of quiet on this issue because it seemed too good to be true. But Emma is officially CORDLESS!



That's right...

NO MORE MONITOR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures pictures pictures....

Emma in her Easter dress

Our Baby Girl

Holding Mommy's Finger

Daddy's Palm

Back in Mommy's Arms

Bye Bye Newborn

Emma Estimates:

• Weight: 8 pounds 4 ounces
• Length: 21 inches

Well, it's 'see ya' to newborn footsies. Miss Emma is growing again. It was confirmed at her appointment today. I will try to post pictures as soon as I can.

Today, Emma received her Synagis shot to prevent RSV (a respiratory virus). She was a very big girl. Once again, the nurse injected the medication, Emma wailed momentarily and then looked at the nurse and grinned. The nurse was amazed!

I Remember and Always Will

I woke up this morning with a tear in my eye. Today is an emotional day. You see, Miss Emma, today was your estimated due date.

Approximately forty weeks ago, a truly miraculous event occurred. Your Mommy and Daddy had wanted you in their life for a very long time. They were even told by the doctors who specialize in “special orders” that it was just not possible. They used words like “improbable” and phrases such as “highly unlikely” and “chances too small to measure.” But our family always said, that we needed to be told no or that is was impossible before we would prove the people wrong. You are a blessing from the very beginning.

I remember being told that we were pregnant. I also remember being so happy that I was scared it was too good to be true. I remember the look in Darren’s eyes when I spoke the magic words we longed to hear and say. Daddy and I even hid the good news from the family until you were with us for thirteen weeks. I remember announcing your expected arrival to your grandparents on Grandparents’ Day. I also remember telling your Aunt MiMi and the priceless look she had on her face. It felt so good to celebrate our love for you even then.

I remember seeing your heartbeat on the screen and the wonderful it made then. And even though you were elusive with the ultrasounds, I remember how absolutely beautiful you were then.

I remember how much your taste buds influenced my life. Like your Daddy, apparently you don’t like onions. I couldn’t tolerate the smell. You also have my love for green apples and cranberries. I was fortunate not to have morning sickness but then again, I was already blessed by you so I would have welcomed even the morning sickness with open arms.

I remember how even the silliest things to a whole new meaning because you were already in our lives. Christmas changed. New Years changed. More importantly the word family took a whole new meaning.

I remember being told to expect complications. You see, other doctors had told your Daddy and me that it wasn’t a matter of could we conceive but should we. I remember being so careful with everything I did to ensure your safety as well as my own so that I would be here with you.

I remember the cold that started it all. I remember going to the doctor for the cold but finding out about high blood pressure. I remember taking it easy and researching articles that made me more uneasy.

I remember being hospitalized the first week of the new year. I remember having your Daddy there for me not letting either of us out of his thoughts for even one second.

I remember being hospitalized with such high blood pressure, I think I raised the nurses' blood pressure. I remember each needle that was used and each and every medication provided to make certain everything possible was done to keep you inside as long as possible.

I remember the moment that Dr. Nesbitt told me that today (1/14) was THE day. I remember never being more frightened and happy in my life. I remember each of every moment of that day between that moment with Dr. Nesbitt until I heard you cry in the delivery, a cry that were told just hours before not to expect.

You see Miss Emma, you are not just a blessing; you are a MIRACLE.

So on this glorious day, the day of your expected arrival, I thank God for miracles. I thank God for the miracle of your conception, the miracle of your birth, and the tiny miracles of having you in my life each and every day!

Daddy's Birthday

Emma's Special Outfit for Daddy's Birthday

Gambling Visitors (March 6th, 2008)

After a trip to Louisiana, for recreational purposes, Great PoPo and Grandma decided to take a detour on their way home. They stopped by to see Miss Emma officially at home.

Great PoPo holding Emma for the first time.

Mommy isn't the only one who can rock me to sleep.

Official Retirment (March 5th, 2008)

Well... it's a sad, yet happy day in the Clark household.

Emma is officially having to retire her premie onesies. Here are pictures of her wearing the yellow onesie. My how she has grown!

Oh, the fond memories we will leave behind...

~ Yellow Rosebud, February 3, 2008

http://annaeed.blogspot.com/2008/02/yellow-rosebud.html

~ Lavender Lady, January 30, 2008

http://annaeed.blogspot.com/2008/01/lavender-lady.html

~ Pretty in Pink, January 31, 2008

http://annaeed.blogspot.com/2008/01/pretty-in-pink.html

~ Green Goddes, February 1, 2008

http://annaeed.blogspot.com/2008/02/green-goodess.html

~ Baby Blue Belle

http://annaeed.blogspot.com/2008/02/february-9th-2008.html

First Doctor's Appt (Well sort of...March 4th, 2008)

Today was Emma's first appointment with her pediatrician. So, that counts (I think) as her first doctor's appointment. Yes, I know, she has seen doctors practically everyday of her life, but this one's outside the hospital.

First things, first, Emma weighs SIX pounds according to Dr. Farella's scales.

Second, Emma received all of three of her two month immunizations. It was really cute. The nurse looked at us and told us to be prepared because the babies generally cry for long periods afterwards. Emma, on the other hand, let out a small cry for each shot and then gave the nurse a glaring stare almost as if she were saying, "That's all... that's it... no more. Oh, I've handled way worse than that lady."

Third, according to Dr. Farella, Emma is to be treated like a regular newborn. She just has a little more experience at being a newborn.

Finally, Emma's next scheduled doctor's appointment is in two months. It seems rather weird to think that after spending almost 7 weeks in the hospital with daily visits from doctors, she can now go that length of time without them. Okay...minor correction... she does have a follow-up eye appointment in two weeks.

Emma in her car seat with monitor

The footsies are getting small

Bouncy Bouncy Bouncy (March 3rd, 2008)

Here's pictures of Emma in her bouncer. It helps with her acid reflux. Plus, I think Aunt MiMi enjoys it as much as Emma.

Okay, this is new. What's this really about?
Hey, this isn't half bad...
It's kind of fun.
And it really wears me out.

All's quiet on the Clark forefront

... well, as quiet as can be.

Here's a picture of Emma taking charge of her medication.

She's already illustrating who's the boss.

~ In other news, Happy Birthday NaNa!

Homeward Bound (March 1st 2008)

It's a new month with a new beginning...Emma's home.

Emma Estimates for the Very Last Time Daily

• Weight: 2441 grams or 5 pounds 6.1 ounces
• Length: 42 centimeters or 16.5 inches

~ Emma's First Car Ride

~ Emma in Her Bed

~ Not pictured ... An overly joyed ecstatic and proud Mom and Dad!